Call centre blues: Try Yoga

NEW DELHI: Are those endless night shifts at the call centre taking a toll on your health? India���s department of ayurveda, homeopathy and ayush has a solution for you ��� yoga.
Rising cases of spondilitis, hypertension, insomnia, fatigue, nausea, chronic headache, coronary malfunctions, back pain, computer syndrome and dry eyes among youngsters working in India���s BPOs have prompted health ministry to undertake its first official study of how yoga sessions in call centres can help employees cope with stress and long working hours.
The department is planning to send yoga experts to call centres in Bangalore, Gurgaon, Noida, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai to take 30-minute sessions, every day, over three months.
During this time, doctors like Naresh Trehan and R R Kasliwal (both from a prominent heart institute in the Capital) will monitor the improvement in the health of affected youngsters.
The study findings will then be released to the BPO sector. The department will bear the entire cost of this exercise. Department officials feel that "only when we scientifically prove how yoga makes their employees healthy, productive and alert, taking less medical leave, will all BPOs start yoga sessions in office."
GE has already expressed interest to support government. According to Dr Kasliwal, "The sample study will start within a month. Youngsters working in call centres are thronging hospitals, complaining of health problems, resulting directly from their work schedules. Pills aren���t always a solution. Yoga, during work, will definitely help."
Director of Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, Ishwar Baravaraddi, who is spear heading the project told TOI: "It is believed that 20 minutes of meditation is equivalent to four hours of sleep. So those working all night, will get relief from yoga and meditation. Yoga experts will be sent from the renowned allopathic institutes closest to these offices, in various cities. The study will be carried out in about seven different BPOs. Asanas to suit their problems will be taught to youngsters working in these BPOs. This is a first of its kind study ever to be undertaken by government."
Sanjay Salooja, who has been counselling youngsters working in call centres, said: "Many youngsters are unable to cope with odd working hours. Those visiting me bear physical, emotional and mental symptoms. Those perpetually doing night shifts sometimes can���t deal with daylight. They behave aggressively and become intolerant. Yoga can really help these youngsters. BPOs will now have to ensure all employees take part in this three-month session."
all employees take part in this three-month session."